Basseterre, Saint Kitts (Public Infrastructure News) – A report by the Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CARICOF) predicts that Saint Kitts and Nevis will be under a drought warning through the end of October 2026.
Based on a six-month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) covering May to October, the report, last updated in July, outlines short-term drought concerns across territories in the Caribbean. These concerns are classified into four categories:
CARICOF Drought Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
No Concern |
Conditions are normal |
Drought Watch |
Dry conditions may develop |
Drought Warning |
Drought conditions are developing such that people should conserve water |
Drought Emergency |
Water supplies may be seriously affected, and stronger measures may be needed. |
More than 70% of the island’s potable water comes from rainfall. Accumulated rainfall totals from the St. Kitts Meteorological Services (SKMS) for the first 8 months in 2026 show an overall pattern of declining rainfall in comparison with the same period in 2025.
Please see Graph 1 for details.
Officials say CARICOF’s designation, supported by SKMS data, highlights not only the need to raise public awareness about the short-term impacts of the rainfall deficit in Saint Kitts and Nevis, but also the importance of strengthening existing partnerships with the public.
An SKNIS report on a June 12, 2026 press conference organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) attributes the following public appeal to Cromwell Williams, Water Manager and Engineer at the St. Kitts Water Services Department (WSD):
“I am here to appeal to water consumers to understand what your role is in response to drought CONDITIONS. […] Generally, we want persons to monitor their use of water and be as conservative as practicable.”
Water Services Department Manager and Engineer | Cromwell Williams
Williams later quantified his statement to Public Infrastructure News on October 1:
“At this stage, every household and business should be checking their bill monthly to see how much water they consume. Every household should be aiming for no more than 1,000 imperial gallons per person monthly.”
Water Services Department Manager and Engineer | Cromwell Williams
According to the WSD’s official website, a household consuming less than 5000 imperial gallons of water in a billing cycle will be charged $0.72 per 100 gallons. That translates to $7.20 per 1000 gallons.
Officials state that the extended drought continues to place a considerable burden on the current water supply. Williams, however, believes that burden could be alleviated if consumers make water conservation a personal priority.
For more information, please visit the Water Services Department and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure online at water.gov.kn and mopieudt.gov.kn. Follow us on the WSD on Facebook and on the Ministry’s Social Media pages for the latest updates.
